How to get kids into gardening

All four of my grandchildren love being outdoors, whatever the weather. We put our wellies on and check to see if the chickens have laid any eggs, pick raspberries and strawberries, and roll down the mound we’ve made in the corner of the wildflower meadow.

About a year ago, the eldest told me he wanted to grow vegetables. We sowed radishes, lettuces, peas, beans, carrots and sweetcorn. Later we planted out tomatoes. I left instructions and answered questions as the weeks went by. They looked after them, and the sheer joy they experienced when they harvested – and ate – their first radishes made it an emotional moment, both for them and their grandpa.

Encourage children outdoors

How to get kids into gardening - let them play outdoors

It doesn’t matter if they don’t do anything constructive. Let them handle worms, show them that spiders, wasps and bees are amazing and unlikely to do them any harm. Look for woodlice, and have snail races! Wildlife is to be cherished and is endlessly fascinating.

Grow veg with kids

Start on a small scale. If the patch of ground is too big, or under a tree in a shady root-ridden spot where nothing wants to grow, then children will understandably be put off. Let them grow the things they like to eat (it surprised me that mine like radishes!) in the best spot in your garden.

Dig a pond with your children

How to get kids into gardening - dig a pond with children

Children will be astonished at the amount of wildlife that visits a pond, from pond skaters and water boatmen to dragonflies, frogs, toads and newts. Let them fish with a net and see what they can catch. Make a tiny vivarium to raise froglets at close quarters. Even a small container pond will do – teach children how to be safe around ponds and supervise them when playing around it.

Feed the birds

Set up a bird feeding station for winter, where children can see what’s going on. A small pair of binoculars means they can watch from the house. Put up some nest boxes in time for spring, and if you can run to the expense, get one with an integral internal camera. They – and you – are sure to be enthralled.

Start a cacti collection

Cacti and succulents do best in bright light and can cope with neglect – after all, it’s easy to forget to water house plants when you have homework and other distractions. The collecting bug may encourage kids to add more – and the grandparents will never be short of ideas for presents!

Get schools involved

Encourage your children's school to join the RHS Campaign for School Gardening. Every school in the land should be aware of the importance of nature and the vital role that growing things can play in the National Curriculum. It’s important!